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A Farewell to Kings

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work

A Farewell to Kings was released on 29 August 1977 and was Rush's fifth studio album. The group had just reached a peak with 2112 and the tour that followed, including their first European shows. For the follow-up they wanted to record outside Toronto for the first time. Producer Terry Brown found Rockfield Studios in Wales, where the record was made in about three weeks.

The group broadened its sound with more synthesizers, and each member played more instruments than before. Neil Peart added tubular bells and chimes to his drum kit, among other things, Geddy Lee used a Minimoog and Alex Lifeson a Moog Taurus bass pedal. The album contains long and short songs. Xanadu lasts eleven minutes, Closer to the Heart less than three, and both became concert favourites. Cygnus X-1 Book I: The Voyage ends with a cliffhanger that is continued on the next album, Hemispheres. The criticism was mostly positive, and the album helped the group further internationally.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Xanadu and notice the first five minutes without vocals: which sounds build an atmosphere here before the rock band comes in?

Track list

  1. 1A Farewell To Kings (Remastered 2013)5:56Apple Music ↗
  2. 2Xanadu (Remastered 2013)11:09Apple Music ↗
  3. 3Closer To The Heart (Remastered 2013)2:56Apple Music ↗
  4. 4Cinderella Man (Remastered 2013)4:23Apple Music ↗
  5. 5Madrigal (Remastered 2013)2:36Apple Music ↗
  6. 6Cygnus X-1 Book I: The Voyage (Remastered 2013)10:25Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗

Categories: Albums and songs